Fish And Boat Commission Presents Annual Report To Senate Committee

The Fish and Boat Commission this week provided the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee with an update on its activities and a copy of its 2008 annual report.

 

Dr. Doug Austen, Executive Director of the Commission, said fishing and boating provided the Commonwealth with an economic benefit of over $1.65 billion over the last year supporting nearly 18,000 jobs.

 

Dr. Austen said a special survey last year found 84 percent of anglers last year said they were satisfied with trout fishing in the state and 61 percent release the trout they catch.

 

Boating accidents were down in 2008 thanks in part to the Commission's Water Rescue Program which provides water rescue training.

 

Dr. Austen said it had been a struggle to keep up with permit reviews required by new proposed Marcellus Shale natural gas wells and related enforcement activities. He said new resources are needed to help the agency cope with increasing number of permits.

 

The Commission reported they hope to use $21 million in federal stimulus funding to help in the removal of 10 dams and install fish passages at three dams on the Susquehanna River.

 

Regarding additional resources for the Commission, Dr. Austen said the Commission Board adopted several principles recently for dealing with the funding issue: explore annual incremental license increases, rather than large increases every few years, enact a modest statewide access and habitat fee built into the cost of a fishing license and establish special pricing package for families and others for licenses and stamps.

 

Dr. Austen's testimony is available online.

 

Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin) serves as Majority Chair and Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Somerset) serves as Minority Chair.